Chapter 11
Henry was the CEO of Garner Group, a man whose word was law in Juville.
Even Luke had admitted more than once that they were lucky not to be on his bad side. And now, this cold, ruthless man was asking Lexi if she’d ever give up on him.
“Henry, whatever I had with Jeremy ended a long time ago. From the moment I left him, there was no going back. I’ve told you this before. Why won’t you believe me?”
Lexi wasn’t someone who liked explaining herself, but she’d already explained this to Henry more times
than she could count.
Henry finally let go of her and stared into her eyes. “Because seven years ago, you gave up on me for him.
You never loved me. I was just your second-best option.”
Those words hit her hard. After a moment of silence, she said quietly, “Henry, it’s not that I didn’t like you.
I just hated the feeling of being controlled, like my whole life was mapped out.
“We grew up together, and both our families just assumed we’d end up together. It was like I was branded
as yours since birth. I was an obedient daughter my whole life, never going against my parents.
“But marriage is a big deal. I didn’t want it handed to me like some business arrangement. And I knew if I stayed in Juville, I’d eventually marry you.
“You think I didn’t like you, but you’re wrong. I just couldn’t stand the idea of everything being so scripted.
And then you followed me to Tenby, which made me feel like a caged bird, like your personal pet.
“So yes, I started to resent you. And then Jeremy came along, who was wild and free, exactly what I wanted at the time. So I fell for him and pushed you away.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t like you. I just hated being told what to do and how to feel.”
She knew where his insecurity came from. She’d lived through the same kind of emptiness with Jeremy
for the past three years, but he never opened up the way Henry just had.
Maybe that was why she didn’t want Henry to go through the same thing she did.
Henry stared at her for a long time, surprised she was opening up like this. He had always thought she didn’t love him. It was only now that he realized he had pushed her too hard back then.
“Lexi, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand before, I—”
“There’s no need to apologize. I should’ve explained things sooner. Now, can you finally tell me what’s going on?”
“Two things. First, Jeremy is looking for you. He’s already tracked you down to Juville, but I intercepted it. Second, rumor has it Tricia is pregnant with his child.”
As soon as he finished, he watched her closely, waiting for any reaction.
Chapter 11
2/2
But her expression didn’t change at all. “Are you afraid I’ll go back to him? Henry, he has a mistress and a child with her. Do you think I’d sign up to be stepmom to someone else’s kid? Is that how little you think
of me?”
Henry muttered, “It’s not like you didn’t throw yourself at him back then.”
She was at a loss for words. “Listen to me, Henry. No matter what happens, there is no future between me and Jeremy. Our wedding will go on as planned.
“And if he comes looking, help me keep my identity quiet for now. I’m not ready for him to know who I am.
Hearing her promise, Henry’s whole demeanor changed. He smiled. “Alright.”
Meanwhile, at a hospital in Tenby, Tricia said, covering her nose and mouth, “Jeremy, I’m pregnant. Please
don’t smoke around me next time.”
